Pittsburgh-based Viatris, a global healthcare company, and Switzerland-based biopharmaceutical company Idorsia Ltd recently entered into agreements for a global research and development collaboration.
Under the terms of the agreements, Viatris will receive exclusive global development and commercialization rights to two Phase 3 pharmaceuticals with the potential to add additional assets in the future.
Idorsia will transfer selatogrel, a medication for patients with a history of acute myocardial infarction, and cenerimod, a potential therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus, to Viatris for $350 million.
“We are connecting Idorsia’s proven, highly productive drug development team and innovation engine with Viatris’ strong global infrastructure and experience to focus on two late-stage potential blockbuster assets with long-dated patent protection,” Viatris CEO Scott A. Smith said. “I believe that together we will be able to execute on the potential of these global assets, and any future assets, as we work to deliver on our goal of building a more durable, predictable portfolio on the foundation of our strong base business, and that selatogrel and cenerimod can become meaningful components of Viatris’ business over the long term.”
Both companies will contribute to the development costs, but Viatris will have worldwide commercialization rights for the drugs.
The deal is expected to close this month.